It was that time to celebrate another friend’s birthday in the mountains.
Trailhead
Group photo left to right: Chico, Jason, Deborah, myself, Merrill, Aida, Scott, Groot, Tessa, Ryan, Amber, Chris, Dale and Akira.
Olomana Trail
Aida securing the birthday balloons to Chico’s pack. Will they make it to the top?
Olomana Trail
Does anybody have a sticker to add to the pole? Scott?
Olomana Trail
We must be on the right track.
Olomana Trail
Groot leading his pack through the pine forest section of the trail.
Olomana Trail
Chico watering Groot and Amber, the self-annointed #1 Olomana FANatic on top of the big f*cking rock.
Olomana Trail
Can you spot Groot for the root?
Olomana Trail
Merrill and Deborah climbing their way up the steep part of the trail.
Olomana Trail
I believe I can fly! Well, at least for approximately two seconds.
Olomana Trail
Jason yielding to a couple of descending hikers. Pop quiz. Who is practicing the correct mountain etiquette here?
Olomana Trail
Stretching my legs as I didn’t want to use the ropes.
Olomana Trail
Elevator service in the mountains.
Olomana Trail
The peak was keeping the clouds at bay on the Windward side as Amber scrambled her way up while Akira and Chris checked on the progress of the rest of the group.
Olomana Trail
Merrill and Akira on the “runway” leading to the first summit.
Olomana Trail
Tessa and Aida approaching the final climb to the first peak.
Ahiki
Looking at the knife-edged third 1,480′ peak of Ahiki seemingly letting off some steam.
Olomana
Happy Birthday Chico! You are one of the most energetic and positive people I have had the privilege of meeting on or off the trail. May your days always be healthy and filled with adventure.
Olomana
Group photo on the 1,643′ peak where Anne-Marie and Jenny also joined us at the top. You can see the second peak of Paku’i at 1,520′ elevation and the third peak of Ahiki in the background which fails to deliver on the views but not on the adrenaline for some. Olomana means forked hill or divided hill in Hawaiian for obvious reasons.
Olomana
I am not Simba and this is not the Pride Rock!
Olomana
The drone has landed.
Olomana
The summit was slowly being flooded with other hikers, which was our cue to depart the peak and head back down the trail.
Olomana Trail
Ryan always believe in stretching and carrying a ti leaf with him on hikes. Ti leaves are considered a symbol of good luck and protection in the islands. Chico lost one of his balloons on the way down. Maybe he should have carried a ti leaf as well.
Olomana Trail
Chris decided to take a different approach on the way down or he just didn’t want to wait for everybody else in the climbing queue.
Olomana Trail
Tessa climbing her way down the rockface.
Olomana Trail
Handle with care.
Olomana Trail
When you are Groot’s size, every step is a big step, every fern is over your heard. But his big heart overcomes all obstacles. Sometimes with a little help from his friends.
Trailhead
How many Falls does that make to date?
All pau
A man, his remaining balloon and his dog walking on the bridge where turtles dwelled below. Straight to DVD coming soon to a Blockbuster near you.
Casa de Cantu
We retired to the house by the bay and were joined by James and Destiny, Raul and Janny, Stefano and Val to continue the birthday celebration. Many thanks to Lilia for cooking up the birthday feast and everybody else that participated and chipped in for Chico’s gift. Mahalos!
Casa de Cantu
Stefano made more dollar bills playing Left-Center-Right than most strippers make at Hula’s. Slight exaggeration. Game well played and a birthday well played by all.
Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Amber Fonte, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Deborah Tom, Jason Murano, Merrill Kalopodes, Ryan Meyer, Scott Peterson, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.
Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.
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